Ahhh, but. Domestic dogs have evolved slightly from their wild ancestors, in that they have developed the ability to digest and thrive on a starch rich diet. Something your common Wolf cannot do. I will admit I do feed my dog a little veg, but it is only a little, mainly for vitamins and minerals. I...

Welcome to the forum. Short answer, no need. Chickens are like duvets, and believe it or not most will do perfectly fine in the UK climate without a coop at all. Even on the darkest frostiest of nights. A coop is a luxury item we afford to protect the chickens from overnight predators, and to offer ...

By definition, that makes them omnivorous. Any animal that eats vegetable matter in order to gain some sort of dietary advantage is technically omnivorous. Cats do not benefit from eating vegetation, whereas a dog can actually survive without any meat products in their diet at all. Not starting an a...

Hi and welcome, Sorry to hear about your incidents, but unfortunately, it's dogs being dogs. Granted, for the breed, a little out of character, but unless your dogs are properly trained being around livestock, then they shouldn't be allowed really. And by 'properly trained', I mean lead and command ...

Hi and welcome, Just a basic sanitiser will do the job, Dettol, Diluted bleach, anything with lavender in (deters creepy crawlies). The trick is to keep alternating your cleaning solutions so bacteria doesn't become resistant to it. In my opinion, don't go too OTT with cleaning. They are livestock, ...

Rats can be brazen little shi** when they get used to their surroundings. However, I'd expect mother duck to at least put a fight up if it was rats. Same with any terrestrial predator really. There would be a lot of commotion, and ducks are far from quiet when predators are around. I'd suggest an ae...

Thumbs up for Ficam-W. I've actually bought some more despite having no poultry any more. Purely for ant extermination (which is a big issue where I live), and any other nasties that may come along. It also served as a good flea killer (and bed bugs) when we had a bit of an infestation with the Chih...

Not necessarily. Some are just born to brood. Whereas others may never feel inclined. I had a Silkie who used to love going broody. Never actually let her sit as I had an incubator, but now I've rehomed the chickens with bro-in-law, she's currently sat on a clutch of around 15 eggs. So she'll at lea...

I had the pro stuff once to completely kill the back garden, grass, weeds, ivy, the lot. Did a sterling job, but I suited and booted to do it, and kept the animals and kids well away until about 2 weeks after. Turf then laid fantastically well on it and established within a few weeks. But as said, i...

Good, informative post. And some really smart thinking with the trap. How are you with rats? :lol: Although, they aren't so much an issue now as I'm poultryless. The rats have moved a couple of doors up the street to a friends house who keeps poultry. :oops: :P I would buy a Fenn trap, leave it in ...